British camping holidays guide

How to book the best British camping, glamping and caravan holidays in 2015, with recommendations and tips from experts on staying under canvas at pitches from Cornwall and Dorset to Loch Ness, in Scotland, and Yorkshire

In spring, once the sun appears and the British countryside’s simple pleasures beckon, the pick of the countryside's campsites will book up fast. If you want meadows with wild flowers, waterfall walks and a backdrop of white sand and sea, it pays to plan ahead.

With this in mind, we’ve asked some camping experts to reveal their favourite British sites. Some are only open during summer so check when booking.

Rukins Campsite, Yorkshire DalesOn the banks of the upper reaches of the River Swale in Keld, waterfall lovers and wild swimmers will enjoy this delightful but basic campsite. There are three waterfall plunge pools right by the campsite, or you can scramble down to Kisdon Force.

Rukins Keld campsite is basic but has spectacular views and is near waterfalls.

Rukins Keld

Wander up the lane to delightful Wain Wath Force, with pebble beaches perfect for children. When you get back to the campsite, warm up around a fire on the river shore (01748 886274; rukins-keld.co.uk).

Highertown Farm Campsite, Lansallos, CornwallThis simple rural meadow site in Cornwall is owned by the National Trust and has amazing sea views, as well as solar-powered hot water and compost lavatories. Below the village is a secret cove and the path down to the sea has a stream and is lined with wild flowers in spring. National Trust Lansallos, Looe, Cornwall (01208 265211; nationaltrust.org.uk).

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Dernwood Farm, East SussexA charming campsite deep in the Sussex Weald, Dernwood Farm offers family-friendly seclusion, ancient coppiced woodland, wild flower meadows and crackling campfires, all a hop and a skip from the South Coast.

Dernwood Farm has a charming campsite deep in the Sussex Weald.

Dernwood Farm

On-site falconry courses are available, and home reared meat is for sale. If you don’t want to lug your own tent, splash out on a stay in a pre-erected bell tent or safari tent (01435 812726; dernwoodfarm.co.uk).

La Rosa, nr Whitby, North YorkshireWith just nine themed caravans on offer, from a tinker’s trailer to an authentic, chromed Roma caravan full of etched glass, this site in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park is a one-off, with its quirky, verging-on-kitsch, decor. But don’t expect much in the way of pampering; snuggling up and getting cosy is the order of the day, particularly as some vans are heated by wood-burning stoves. Except for the occasional toots from the North Yorkshire Moors steam railway, the woodland dell location is wonderfully peaceful (01947 606981; larosa.co.uk).

Robert Louden, director general at the Camping and Caravanning Club, recommends:

Loch Ness Shores, Loch NessI am looking forward to visiting our Loch Ness Shores Club Site in Scotland, which is located on the south bank of the loch.

Not only does it have first-class facilities, beautiful views and a huge number of outdoor activities, you can beat the weather by booking one of the insulated and heated wooden wigwams (01456 486333; campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk).

Higher Moor Farm, near Weymouth, DorsetThe family who run this site have farmed here for more than 40 years so know the area inside out. They really go the extra mile to make guests feel welcome and the standards of the facilities and services at the site are excellent.

It’s peaceful, quiet and in a beautiful setting, the sort of site that reminds people what camping and caravanning is all about (pitchup.com).

Stephen Neale, author of Camping by the Waterside (camponwater.com), recommends

Uig Sands, Isle of LewisProbably my favourite campsite in Britain with a backdrop of pure white sand and turquoise sea. A cliché perhaps, but pitching on the campsite at Uig in the Outer Hebrides is like being in paradise. You may even spot a golden eagle.

Camping at Uig Sands promises seclusion and glorious views.

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The sweet sound of bad singing and campers playing mandolins and guitars around the beach campfire is the only reality check. Pitches are £2 per adult; children, horses and dogs go free (01851 672248). Read more on Britain's best coastal campsites.

Deepdale, Burnham Deepdale, NorfolkThe camping pitches are spread over five well-maintained paddocks and close to good beaches, bird reserves and the coastal footpath. Deepdale also offers yurts, tepees and shepherd’s huts (sleeping four), which are timber-built with wood-burning stoves and comfy furnishing. Usefully there’s a visitor information centre on site and a well-equipped, self-catering kitchen (01485 210256; deepdalefarm.co.uk).

For customer reviews of sites across the country, and of tents, caravans and accessories, see ukcampsite.co.uk.

When it comes to specialist glamping sites, canopyandstars.co.uk, part of the Sawday's group, has a seductive selection of glamping sites, shepherd’s huts, treehouses and even converted boats and buses, on rural sites around Britain. Serendipity (pictured) is a tipi near the village of Felin Fach in Wales, sleeping two from £120 per night.

Serendipity is one of the cosy glamping sites offered by Canopy and Stars.